Automatic cutoff device



Oct. 27, 1953 H. T. BOOTH AUTOMATIC CUToFF DEVICE Filed April l1, 1950 ma. w vw uw .s Q t Q H. H T

H/S ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 27, 1953 AUTOMATIC CUTOFF DEVICE Harry T. Booth, Dayton,

Aircraft Products, Inc

Aporation of Ohio Ohio, assignor to United Dayton, Ohio, a cor- A'ppliation' April 11., 195o, serial No. 155,231

-7 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic out off devices for the protection or hydraulic lines and systems, particularly as used in aircraft to avoid complete loss or the hydraulic fluid when it is endeavored to operate the landing gear, wing ap or the like in the presence of a leak in the line.

The function of devices of this kind is to shut on liquid flow soon after a predetermined total quantity has passed through it, the assumption being that now in excess of a predetermined quantity is due to leakage loss, and, therefore, the flow should be shut ofi to prevent any greater loss. For example, if in an airplane hydraulic system, a line is supplying a cylinder of 200 cubic inches total displacement volume, in the absence of a leak no more than 200 cubic inches ci hydraulic duid can pass through the supply line. A greater quantity flow indicates leakage. An automatic cut orf device in such a line will be set to pass 200` cubic inches and to interrupt now at some higher Value, say 205 cubic inches. In the event of damage to the system, therefore, the gross loss or" fluid will not exceed 205 cubic inches. Without the protection aorded by the automatic cut on" device, the entire supply of hydraulic fluid might be drained before the pilot or ilight engineer became aware of misoperation.

The instant invention contemplates an improvement in devices of the class described in that their operation is made independent of variations in rate of flow through the hydraulic supply line. Prior art devices have such independence above a predetermined minimum rate of flow, but this minimum is undesirably high.

Current air force specifications on the out off devices require detection and response to a leak at a flow rate of only one-tenth of a gallon per minute. Moreover, in prior art devices, the minimum operative new rate is variable, being a function of the force rate of a spring which opposes movement of the out on valve to closed posi tion. The force rate of this spring is calculated with regard to the pull of gravity, it being necessary that'the spring `withstand some given multiple of the force of gravity to avoid inadvertent or premature closing of the valve.

In brief, the limitation of the prior devices as to flow rate has arisen from a conception of operation in which the valve closing force is derivedfrom a created pressure drop which varies directly `with variations in rateof flow.` Accordingly, at a flow rate which is too low to establish a pressure drop of suilicient value to overcome the resistance of the described spring the device is unresponsive to excess quantity flow.

In contrast, it is Vproposed in the present in`- 2 stance to create a pressure drop for operation of the valve which is substantially independent of flow rate and which may be initially lixed with respect to the force rate of the opposing spring.

It is further proposed to introduce a new element of adjustability in the device whereby selective modes of operation may be had at low flow rates. In a first mode of operation, the motion of the valve toward closed position will, in a curve, appear' as a straight line against ow rate increasing and decreasing relatively to a zero value. In a second mode of operation, the line of motion of the valve inclines sharply as zero flow is approached, indicating that the valve can move to closed position with no iiow taking place beyond the device except that displaced by the valve. In a third mode of operation the curve declines sharply, indicating that flow is taking place through the device Without a corresponding movement of the valve.

Other objects and structural details of the invention will appear from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in longitudinal section of an automatic cut off device in accordance with the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a front end view of the device;

Fig. 3 is a View incross section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a detail view, in `perspective of a lock washer comprised in the device.

Referring to the drawing, in its illustrative embodiment, the automatic cut off device comprises a cylindrical body `II'I to be inserted in a huid flowing line, for example, `one extending from a source of hydraulic pressure fluid to a reciprocating` hydraulic motor` operating landing gear, wing naps or the like. In such a line now takes place in alternate directions. Return flow to the pressure fluid source oilers no opportunity for excessive loss of uid. Accordingly, the automatic cut off device functions only during the opposite direction of ow, i. e., from the Source to the motor. i

The body Il) presents a longitudinal bore II and a counterbore I2. At one end of the` body the bore II is internally threaded to receive a pipe coupling or the like. A closure I 3 at the opposite end of `the body `is similarly internally threaded. In the installation of the device, the body In is arranged so that outward now, from the source, is in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. A

`The closure I3 has a circumferential shoulder 4I4 to abut the endof body I0 through a seal I5, and further is formed with a cylindrical projection I6 received in the counterbore I2. The projection I6 is externally threaded whereby the closure I3 may be screwed into the body I8 and is internally threaded whereby adjustably to receive and mount a cylinder I1. A resilient lock washer .1&8, having .opposed sets of prongs I9 and ZI, -is interposed between ythe end of cylinder I1 and a transverse wall 22 formed integrally with the closure I3 and denning the bottom of cylindrical projection I6. The lock washer .L8 maintains an axial thrust pressure upon the cylinder I1 resisting rotation .ont pi a selected position of adjustment.

The wall 22 has a large axial opening 23. Cylinder I1 is spaced from the body v.Ill land defines therewith an annular passage 24. The passage 24 communicates with opening 23 by way of fa-series of radial ports 25 formed in the cylinder I1 adjacent `the -end thereof. The opposite end of the cylinder I1 terminates short of contactwith the bottom 4of counterbore I2 and so ldonnes `an opening v26 through which the `.passage 2-4 may rcornrnunicate wit-h rbore I I. Accordingly, :huid `entering body I by Way of 'bore II may pass through opening 26 and iiow -oirtward along passage 24 and thence .through .ports to the interior rci cylinder I1 yand out of the body by wayfof :opening 23. The areas of passage .2-4 -a-nd of ports v25 are approximately equal so that lthere is 'no material or rela-tive `restriction of ilovv between opening 28 :and opening 23.. rIfhe area of .opening 26 is varied in a manner and for a purpose to be described.

Slidably mounted Vin the lcylinder I1 :is a piston e valve assembly `2?! comprising ya :hol-low cylindrical body portion 2-8 and .a projecting tapered nose portion 29 presenting 1a through bone 31|. .Further comprised in the assembly 21 is 'a l,check valve `32 arranged to seat in the bottom of body portion 218 and close bore 3:I to huid .flowing outward or in a liftward direction as viewed in Fig. 1. A light spring 33 based .on ,a-snap'ring 34 mounted body portion'28 urges 4the valve 32 to seated position. Y'Ihe body portion 2'8 of assembly21 has a sliding, fluid tight contact with the wall of cylinder 11.. `The nose portion 29 is-axially aligned with opening '23 insuch wise that the tapered end thereof may enter and seat in that opening. Since the seat so' provided is closure of the valve as described is effective to interrupt'flow through passage 24 .and opening 23 out of the device.

lThe'piston valve assembly 21 tends normally to assume the open position `illustrated by reason of force exerted 'by'a compression spring 35 based on lthe spring washer 19 andV bearing on body portion 28. The force rate built 'into spring '35 bears a determined relation lto the pull of gravity, being designed to hold the valve open against a predetermined multiple of gravity force in .order that the action of the valve will not be affected by the spe-ed and maneuvers of the aircraft.

Under influence of the spring 35, the Jpiston valve occupies a position of limit against a centrally apertured disc 36 held in one end `of an annular cylinder groove 31 by a strong spring 38, the disc 35 being elliptical .in shape so that it may be installed in the groove 31 by endwise insertion through the cylinder I1. The other end of the strong spring 38 bears upon a control pistonv 39 slidably mounted in the cylinder I1 and arranged to seat on the bottom of counterbore I2 in a position closing opening 26 from beyond kports 25, f

39 engaging the bottom of counterbore I2 is open and in surrounding relation to the bore I I. The opposite end thereof presents an opening 4I controlled by a check valve 42 closing in fthe same direction as the check valve 32 and similarly V controlled by a light sp-ring 43 based on a snap inward or right hand edge of ring-5M.

'The `piston 39 further presents a peripheral groove 45 occupying a determined relation to the groove 31 in the .normal or .seated position of piston 39. Cut in the groove 45 is a narrow, longitudinal slot 46. @split hand or vcollar 41 is seated in the groove 545. "-Ihesplit 'portion thereof defines an opening 4-8'whichlbyro'tary adjustment of the collar is caused .to register with the slot 46. A pin 49 passed through the collar 41 and the Wall of groove 45 rearwardly of slot 45 holds the collar and piston 39 against relative rotary motion. The slot .'46 :and `opening 48 cooperate to denne an oriiice {hereinafter called or-ice 43), the open area oi which is variable by .reciprocation of .the piston 39 extend-ing `and. retracting the orifice with -respect \to the edge of groove 31.. It will be understood that the initial position of orifice 48 with regard to the edge of groove -31 is determined by .the position yof axial adjustment of the vcylinder I1. The arrangement may be such that-the :orifice 48 .is .normallyclosed but begins to open immediately that 4vpiston 3-9 leaves its sea-t on the bottom of counterbore I2. This is the illustrated arrangement of the parts. .Should the cylinder I1 be advanced slightly, theorifice 48 will be normally fclosed and vwill begin to open at a later 'point in the extension of the `piston 39. Retraetion of the cylinder .I1 from the posi- Y tion shown will provide the 'oriiice 48 with a normally open area. It will also be understood that the .piston .39 is displaceable by flowing fluid entering bore il.

The piston 39 further v.acts to vary the `area of opening 28 which -t-hus becomes a second prince, the :construction .and arrangement being such that the ratio of ow through the 'two oriiices .is

l .substantially constant.

In the operation of the device, the yparts at rest occupy the positions shown. Upon admission of fluid -to bore II, the control piston -39 is displaced axially-outward, opening oriiice `2B an amount proportionate tothe rate of flow l.and

` opening orifice 48 a corresponding amount. The

:fluid .110W will accordingly be divided into ltwo streams, :the larger one of which goes through orice 28 to passage 24 and thence vout of the l.device by way of ports 25 and opening 23. The smaller 'stream passes out orifice `48 and into the cylinder I1 in back of piston valve 21 displacing the piston in a direction to seat nose 29 in opening 23. The quantity flow in the two streams bears such relation yone to another that the quantity required for operation of the hydraulic motor will .have passed through the device lbefore valve nose 29 reaches opening 23. In the absence Vof leaks beyond the cut off devices, therefore, fluid flow will cease without laction on the part of pis-ton valve 21 which will then tend to return .to normal Lposition under the urging of ,spring 35.r In the return :dow operation, the fluid enters opening 23 vand reaches .bore II by .direct flow through the check valve controlled openings in piston valve 21 and control piston 39, the piston valve and control piston being at the same time Vreset to their normal or starting positions. In the event of leakage beyond the communication with bore II. That :end of piston cut off device, outward ilow will continue until the piston valve 21 reaches and closes opening 23.

The orifice 26 creates a pressure drop in the line, which, since it is applied across the piston valve 21, embodies a closing force thereon. Were this orifice fixed in area such pressure drop would vary directly with variations in rate of flow. Proper operation of the device would under these circumstances depend upon the maintenance of a sufliciently rapid rate of flow to create a pressure drop adequate to overcome the spring 35. A rate of flow below the critical value would result in no operation of the piston valve, all of the flow being passed through orifice 26. In the instant invention, however, the area of orifice 26, and, of course, orice 48, is variable with flow rate. As a result the pressure drop is substantially independent of flow rate which can descend to any value without altering the constant flow ratio as between the orifices 26 and 48. An adequate pressure in the system is assumed. In this connection, spring 38, which resists opening movement of the control piston 39, is selected with regard to the force rate of spring 35 so that the minimum pressure difference required for outward movement of piston 39 is sufficient to overcome the spring 35.

4The feature of adjustability of the cylinder l1 relative to the orifice 48 offers a number of possibilities for modified operation of the device. Thus if the orifices 26 and 48 are made to open and close simultaneously, the flow will always be divided in proportion between the two orifices. Should orifice 48 open ahead of orifice 26, or stand normally open, a condition of low flow rate in the presence of a leak will enable piston valve 21 to travel and close opening 23 without flow taking place through orifice 26, In an adjustment of the parts providing for opening of the orifice 26 ahead of the orice 48, the result is to set a minimum flow rate for operation of the device. Thus for flow rates above a predetermined minimum the ratio of flow through the orifices will be constant. Below the minimum value, orice 48 will be closed and all flow will pass through orifice 26.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic cut off device for fluid flowing lines, comprising a normally open valve displaceable by flowing fluid toward a closed position interrupting flow in the line, means for dividing the flow in said line into primary and secondary streams, the latter acting on said valve, control orifices for each of said streams, and fluid flow displaceable means for varying the area of said orifices in correspondence with one another and in correspondence with variations in the rate of ow of the hydraulic fluid.

2. An automatic cut off device for fluid flowing lines, comprising a normally open valve displaceable by flowing fluid toward a closed position interrupting flow in the line, means for dividing the flow in said line into primary and secondary streams, the latter acting on said valve, control orifices for each of said streams. fluid flow displaceable means for varying the areas of said orifices according to a constant ratio. and a spring acting on said displaceable means to create a pressure drop for operation of said valve which is substantially independent of fluid flow rate.

3. An automatic cut off device for fluid flowing lines, comprising a normally open valve displaceable by fluid flow toward closed position; spring means for holding said valve against movement under a predetermined multiple of the pull of gravity; a pair of orifices in parallel relation in advance of said valve, part of the flowing fluid passing through one of said orifices to displace said valve and the remainder of the fluid passing through the other of said orifices to a point beyond said valve, flow displaceable means for varying the areas of said orifices, and a spring load on said means of a value to create a pressure drop suliicient to overcome said spring at any rate of fluid flow in said line.

4. An automatic cut off device for fluid flowing lines, comprising a body presenting a through bore, a valve seat at one end of said bore and a longitudinal passage communicating at its one end with said bore in advance of said valve seat; means defining a first orifice communicating the opposite end of said passage with the other end of said bore; a piston valve in said bore displaceable by fluid flow toward said valve seat, said orifice providing a pressure drop to embody a closing force upon said valve under the admission of fluid through said other end of the bore, a second orifice between said other end of the bore and said piston valve to pass a part of the admitted fluid to said piston valve, said part bearing a predetermined quantity relation to the larger part flowing through said passage, and an area control device for said orifices spring loaded in a direction opposed to the direction of fiow of the admitted fluid.

5. An automatic cut off device according to claim 4, characterized Eby check valves in said piston valve and in said device for return flow of the fluid through said bore.

6. An automatic cut off device for fluid flowing lines, comprising a body presenting a valve seat and a passage leading to said valve seat, a normally open valve displaceable by flowing fluid toward engagement with said seat to cut off flow through said passage, a pair of orifices arranged in parallel to divide incoming fluid into a main stream directed through said passage and a sup-- plemental stream directed to said valve to effect movement thereof, a fluid flow displaceable area control device for said orifices, and a spring load on said device to create a pressure drop for actuation of said valve which is substantially independent of variations in the rate of fluid flow.

7. In a device of the class described, a body presenting a longitudinal bore, a piston slidable in said bore, a passage communicating with said bore at the ends thereof on opposite sides of said piston, a pressure fluid inlet at one end of said bore, a fluid flow displaceable device for varying the rate of admission of fluid to said passage ln correspondence with the rate of flow of the fluid, and an orifice between said one end of the bore and said piston controlled by said device to vary the rate of flow to said piston with variations in the rate of admission to said passage.

HARRY T. BOOTH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

